Toy seal amusement device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a toy simulating a circus seal. A flipper is mounted for movement at one end of the casing which is configured as the seal while a moving wheel is positioned adjacent the seal&#39;&#39;s mouth. A conduit passes downwardly from the seal&#39;&#39;s mouth to a pump located within the bottom of the casing. A miniature electric motor powered by batteries is located within the bottom of the casing and is operatively connected to a gear train which sequentially drives the flipper propelling the seal and operates the pump propelling water through the seals&#39;&#39;s mouth to turn the wheel.

United States Patent 1 Asano TOY SEAL AMUSEMENT DEVICE [75] Inventor: Kiyo'zi As'ano, Sumida-ku, Tokyo,

Japan [73] Assignee: Shinsei Kogyo C., Ltd., Tokyo,

Japan [22] Filed: Mar. 1, 1972 [21] App]. No.: 230,849

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Mashahiro ..46/92 Einfalt ..46/92 451 May 1,1973

Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant ExaminerJ. Q. Lever Attorney-Staas, Halsey & Gable ABSTRACT The present invention is a toy simulating a circus seal. A flipper is mounted for movement at one end of the casing which is configured as the seal while a moving wheel is positioned adjacent the seals mouth. A conduit passes downwardly from the seals mouth to a pump located within the bottom of the casing. A miniature electric motor powered by batteries is located within the bottom of the casing and is operatively connected to a gear train which sequentially drives the flipper propelling the seal and operates the pump propelling water through the sealss mouth to turn the wheel.

5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures V Patentd May 1, 1913 3,729,863

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 TOY SEAL AMUSEMENT DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the general class of toys simulating the action of live animals, particularly a circus seal.

1 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The hollow floating casing configured as a circus seal is provided with a flipper mounted for up and down movement and a rotating wheel adjacent the seals mouth. A miniature electric motor is operatively connected via a gear train to the flipper and a water pump which is positioned within the lower part of the casing and exposedto the water. The flipper is operated by the rotation of a first shaft to which is rigidly secured a first gear wheel. The pump is operated by the rotation of a second shaft to which are loosely mounted a second and a third gear wheel. The second and third gear wheels are simultaneously driven by a fourth gear wheel driven by the motor. The number of teeth on the second and third gears is different producing different rotational speeds. In a first position the third gear meshes with the first wheel completing the train so as to drive the flipper at which time the second shaft and pump are inoperative. A cam arrangement formed as a part of the second and third gears operates in conjunction with the relative rotational speed to sequentially move the third gear from its first position to a second position in which the second shaft is rotated to operate the pump at which time the first shaft is stationary and the flipper inoperative. Operation of the pump forces water out of the seals mouth to rotate the wheel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the toy seal;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 illustrating the internal working mechanism of the toy seal;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 illustrating the linkage systems connecting the gear train to the movable flipper and water pump;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view partially in section illustrating the water pump and the linkage connecting same to a shaft sequentially rotated by the gear train;

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating the movable flipper and the linkage connecting same to a shaft sequentially rotated by the gear train;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the gear train driving the shaft operatively connected to the water pump at which time the other shaft to which the movable flipper is attached is inoperative;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the gear train driving the shaft operatively connected to the movable flipper at which time the shaft to which the water pump is attached is inoperative; and

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating that portion of the gear train responsible for sequentially operating the movable flipper and water pump.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The casing of the toy seal is designated generally by reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1 and comprises top and bottom shells l2 and 14, respectively, suitably secured together, for example, by screws. Side flippers 16 are rotatably mounted to the top shell 12 while the bottom shell 14 is provided at its rear portion with an opening through which the movable flipper 18 protrudes. A rotatable water wheel 20 described in detail hereinafter is mounted at the top of the shell 12 adjacent the seal s nose. Finally, the bottom shell 1.4 is provided with a compartment 22 within which the batteries 23 are located. A watertight cap 25 seals the compartment 22.

Within the top shell 12 is positioned a chassis 24, as seen in FIG. 2, for supporting a miniature electric motor 26, which construction is well known in the prior art. The components of the gear train generally designated by reference numeral 28 are secured within the chassis 24 as described in detail hereinafter. The wiring between the batteries and motor is conventional as illustrated.

The movable flipper 18 for propelling the seal 10 includes a strut 32 mounted for movement about a pin 34 which passes through the end of strut 32 and corresponding holes within the U-shaped support 36. The strut 32 further includes an arm 38 which, as seen in FIG. 5, passes through an opening 40 within the linkage 42. The linkage 42 terminates at its other end in an opening 44 secured to the off-set pin 46 of wheel 48. As will be apparent from FIGS. 2 and 5, as wheel 48 rotates flipper 18 is moved up and down propelling the seal 10. i

The water wheel 20, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a support having parallel arms 50 through which rod 52 passes. Mounted for rotation about rod 52 is the wheel 54 which is provided with a plurality of arms. The support 50 is provided at its bottom with an open,- ing 56 fixedly secured about a tube 58 which is mounted within the top shell 12. As will be apparent, as

' water is forced upwardly within the tube 58 it strikes the arms of the wheel 54 causing same to rotate rapidly to the amusement of the child.

The water pump 60 is positioned within the bottom shell 14 and comprises an outer cylinder 62 provided with water inlet and outlet openings 64 and 65, respectively, and a piston 66 mounted for sliding movement within the cylinder 62. The piston rod 68 is appropriately secured to the piston 66 at one end and terminates at the other end thereof in an opening 69 through which the pin 70 of the rotating wheel'72 fits. As will be apparent from FIGS. 2 and 4, rotation of the wheel 72 causes the piston 66 to reciprocate within the cylinder 62 forcing water upwardlly through the pipe 58.

The gear train 28 will now be described in detail. The miniature electric motor 26 terminates in pinion wheel 73 which meshes with a gear 74 formed at the bottom of the gear 76. Gears 74 and 76 are mounted upon a shaft 78 appropriately journaled within the chassis 24.

Gear wheels 80 and 82, as seen in FIG. 8, are mounted for rotation about the shaft 84 suitably journaled within the chassis 24. A second gear 86 is positioned above gear wheel 80 and is formed as an integral part thereof. A spring 88 is positioned between the chassis 24 and the gear wheel 86 urging same downwardly. The bottom of the gear wheel 80 is provided with a first depending arm 90 so configured to fit within the slot 92 of gear wheel 82 and a second depending arm 94, as seen in FIG. .2, having a cam surface complementary in configuration with respect to the cut-out portion 96 of the hub 98 extending upwardly from gear wheel 82, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 8. The shaft 84 is provided with a key 100 corresponding to the slot 102 within the gear wheels 80 and 86. Although gear wheels 80, 82 and 86 are normally mounted to rotate freely about shaft 84, as seen in FIG. 7, it will be apparent that when the gear wheels 80 and 86 move downwardly and the key 100 fits within slot 102, the shaft 84 is caused to rotate, as seen in FIG. 6. The rotation of shaft 84 rotates the wheel 72 operating the pump 60 as previously explained.

The gear wheel 104 is mounted for rotation with the shaft 106 which is journaled within the chassis 24. As will be apparent, rotation of shaft 106 turns wheel 48 operating the flipper 18 as previously explained.

The sequence of operating the pump 60 and flipper 18 will now be described. When the gear wheel 80 is in its raised position against the force of spring 88, as seen in FIG. 7, the gear 86 meshes with gear 104 rotating the shaft 106 and wheel 48 operating the flipper 18. At this time gears 80 and 82 are freely rotating about shaft 84. Thus, the pump 60 is inoperative.

The number of teeth within gear 80 exceeds the number of teeth within gear 82. Accordingly, the speed of rotation of gear 82 exceeds that of gear 80. Eventually, the depending arms 90 and 94 of gear 80 drop into place within the slot 92 and the cut-out portion 96 of the hub 98 of the gear 82, the gear 80 being under pressure of spring 88. The slot 102 of the gears 80 and 86 is thus forced over the key 100 of the shaft 84 causing same to rotate. As previously explained, the rota' tion of shaft 84 causes the wheel 72 to turn operating the pump 60. At this point, the gear 86 no longer engages gear wheel 104 in turn stopping the rotation of the shaft 106 and the flipper 18.

As the rotational speed of the gear 82 continues to exceed that of gear 80 the cam surface of the depending arm 94 is caused to rise upwardly along the cam surface of the cut-out portion 96 gradually lifting the gear 80. In this manner the key 100 is freed from the slot 102 stopping the rotation of the shaft 84 and operation of the pump 60. As the gear 80 rises the gear 86 again meshes with gear 104 rotating the shaft 106 operating the flipper 18.

I claim:

1. A toy, comprising:

a casing;

first and second bodies, means connecting said bodies to said casing permitting movement of said bodies relative to said casing;

a motor, means operatively mounting said motor within said casing; and

gear train mounted within said casing, means operatively connecting said gear train to said motor, said gear train further comprising first and second shafts operably connected to said first and second bodies, respectively, and means sequentially turning said first and second shafts so as to sequentially operate said first and second bodies comprising a first gear fixedly mounted to said first shaft, a second gear mounted for rotation about said second shaft, a third gear mounted for rotation about said second shaft, said second shaft being provided with a key formed therein between said second and third gears, said thlrd gear including a cut-out portion corresponding to said key and a cam surface extending therefrom, said second gear including a cam surface complementary with said cam surface of said third gear, said third gear mounted to move on said shaft between v a first position wherein said third gear meshes with said first gear and a second position wherein said cam surfaces of said second and third gears mesh and said cut-out portion is fitted over said key causing said second shaft to rotate and a fourth gear, means driving said fourth gear by said motor, said fourth gear meshing with and driving said second and third gears simultaneously, and means rotating one of said second and third gears faster than the other to cause said cam surfaces to move said third gear between said first and second positrons.

2. A toy as in claim 1, said means rotating one of said second and third gears faster than the other comprising one of said second and third gears being provided with a smaller number of teeth than the other.

3. A toy as in claim 2, said second body being a piston, a cylinder provided with an inlet port through which water may enter and an outlet port through which water may leave and means operatively mounting said piston for movement in and out of said cylinder.

4. A toy as in claim 3, including a conduit leading from said outlet port to and through the top of said casing, together with a wheel mounted for rotation on said casing in the path of water emitted from said conduit such that said wheel is turned by the water.

5. A toy as in claim 3, said first body being a flipper mounted at one end of said casing to move up and down to propell said toy through Water. 

1. A toy, comprising: a casing; first and second bodies, means connecting said bodies to said casing permitting movement of said bodies relative to said casing; a motor, means operatively mounting said motor within said casing; and a gear train mounted within said casing, means operatively connecting said gear train to said motor, said gear train further comprising first and second shafts operably connected to said first and second bodies, respectively, and means sequentially turning said first and second shafts so as to sequentially operate said first and second bodies comprising a first gear fixedly mounted to said first shaft, a second gear mounted for rotation about said second shaft, a third gear mounted for rotation about said second shaft, said second shaft being provided with a key formed therein between said second and third gears, said third gear including a cut-out portion corresponding to said key and a cam surface extending therefrom, said second gear including a cam surface complementary with said cam surface of said third gear, said third gear mounted to move on said shaft between a first position wherein said third gear meshes with said first gear and a second position wherein said cam surfaces of said second and third gears mesh and said cut-out portion is fitted over said key causing said second shaft to rotate and a fourth gear, means driving said fourth gear by said motor, said fourth gear meshing with and driving said second and third gears simultaneously, and means rotating one of said second and third gears faster than the other to cause said cam surfaces to move said third gear between said first and second positions.
 2. A toy as in claim 1, said means rotating one of said second and third gears faster than the other comprising one of said second and third gears being provided with a smaller number of teeth than the other.
 3. A toy as in claim 2, said second body being a piston, a cylinder provided with an inlet port through which water may enter and an outlet port through which water may leave and means operatively mounting said piston for movement in and out of said cylinder.
 4. A toy as in claim 3, including a conduit leAding from said outlet port to and through the top of said casing, together with a wheel mounted for rotation on said casing in the path of water emitted from said conduit such that said wheel is turned by the water.
 5. A toy as in claim 3, said first body being a flipper mounted at one end of said casing to move up and down to propell said toy through water. 